Covering device for container

ABSTRACT

The present document describes a covering device for covering an opening of a container. The covering device comprises a cover for covering the opening. The cover is foldable. The covering device further comprises a securing means for securing the cover all around the opening; a support having a connector and a linkage for connecting the cover and the connector. In a closed position, the cover is deployed covering the opening and in an opened position the cover is folded and hung on the support by the linkage.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 USC §119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/099,882 filed Sep. 24, 2008 and entitled “Safety covering net for swimming pool”, the specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This description relates to covering devices for protecting containers.

BACKGROUND

Several leisure equipments like pool, sandbox, fountain or other outdoor playground product need to be covered when unused for preventing children, persons and animals from injuries. Furthermore these leisure equipments need to be protected from weather, dust and other pollutant as leaves or fruits. It is important that when a living or and an object accidentally falls on the cover it naturally slides on the cover toward the periphery.

Other containers exist such as pool for fish culture, containers used in water treatment plant, containers of chemical substances among others, where a cover might be useful.

Two types of covering devices are provided now to solve this problem. A first type comprises rigid structures covering the equipment. Some times the structure is permanent and a lockable entry allows users to get in. Sometime the structure is movable to let access free when the equipment is used. These covering devices are expensive. The second type of covering device comprises supple covers. In this case, multiple links have to be secured for attaching the cover to the equipment and for arranging a cupola or a pinnacle at the middle. This type of covering spends time and is usually fastidious to settle and to pack away into an unobtrusive location.

There is therefore a need for improved covering devices.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a covering device that overcomes or mitigates one or more disadvantages of known covering devices or at least provides a useful alternative.

According to an embodiment, there is provided a covering device for covering an opening of a container, the covering device comprising:

-   -   a cover for covering the opening, the cover being foldable;     -   a securing means for securing the cover all around the opening;     -   a support having a connector; and     -   a linkage for connecting the cover and the connector;         wherein in a closed position the cover is deployed covering the         opening and wherein in an opened position the cover is folded         and hung on the support by the linkage.

The securing means optionally comprises a locking means for locking the securing means.

The securing means optionally comprises a belt for tightening the cover to the container around the opening.

The cover is optionally adapted to be substantially upwardly extending, in an intermediate position.

The cover optionally comprises a spacer for keeping the cover at a distance from a substance contained by the container or from the bottom of the container when the covering device is in the closed position.

The linkage is optionally adapted for pulling the cover at a distance from a substance contained by the container or from the bottom of the container when the covering device is in the closed position.

The cover is optionally permeable to a light for allowing the light to reach a substance contained by the container when the covering device is in the closed position.

The cover optionally comprises at least one of tissue, a fabric, a net, a web-like net, a fish net, a tarp and a plurality of hinged panels.

The cover optionally comprises a solar receptor for receiving solar energy.

The support optionally comprises a post closely located with respect to the container.

The post has optionally a portion causing the connector to be above the opening.

The support optionally comprises a movable portion on which the connector is mounted so that in the closed position the connector is above the opening and in the opened connector the connector is away from the opening.

The linkage is optionally versatile to have at least two different configurations, a closed configuration adapted for the closed position and an opened configuration adapted for the opened position.

The linkage optionally comprises a flexible portion.

The connector optionally comprises a pulley causing the linkage to be accessible by a user.

The covering device optionally further comprises an enclosing device for containing a portion of the linkage, and a locking means to lock the linkage in the enclosing device.

The connector optionally further comprises a wheel for winding a portion of the linkage thereon and thereby adapting the linkage to the closed position and to the opened position.

The wheel optionally comprises a motor system for winding the portion of the linkage around the wheel.

The covering device optionally further comprises a sensor for notifying tampering or contact with the cover in the closed position.

The support optionally further comprises a fastener for fixing an additional accessory.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a covering device in a closed position, closing a pool, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the covering device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the covering device of FIG. 1 in an opened position;

FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating a covering device in a closed position closing a pool, in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the covering device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side view showing the covering device of FIG. 4 in an opened position;

FIG. 7 is side view showing the covering device of FIG. 4 in an intermediate position;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the covering device of FIG. 4 in an intermediate position;

FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating a covering device in an opened position, in accordance with another embodiment; and

FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating a covering device in an opened position, in accordance with another embodiment;

It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 concurrently referred to, there is shown a covering device 10 in a closed position, closing a pool 14, namely a container.

The covering device 10 is deployed, covering an entire surface of the pool 14, namely an opening of the container 14. The covering device comprises a web like net 12, namely a cover, for covering the opening. The cover 12 is foldable. The covering device 10 further comprises a belt 26, namely a securing means, for tightening the periphery of the cover 12 to the container 14 for securing the cover 12 all around the opening. A locking means 28 such as a padlock can be used for locking the securing means 26. The covering device 10 further comprises a post 24, namely a support, having a pulley 25, namely a portion of a connector. The support 24 is located at distance away from the container 14 but closely with respect to the container 14. A cable 22, namely a linkage, connects the cover 12 and the connector 25 of the support 24. The linkage 22 is adapted for pulling the cover 12 at a distance from water, not shown, namely a substance, contained by the container 14 or from the bottom of the container 14 when the covering device 10 is in the closed position.

Optionally, the cover 12 further comprises a float 20, namely a spacer for keeping the cover 12 at a distance from the substance contained by the container 14 or from the bottom of the container 14 when the covering device is in the closed position.

Optionally, the securing means 26 comprises a first portion distributed on the cover 12 and a second portion distributed on the container 14. In the closed position, the first portion and the second portion fit together for securing the cover 12 to the container 14. On an outside wall 18 of the container 14, the second portion comprises hooks 16 adapted to attach to the cover 12.

Optionally, the covering device 10 further comprises a sensor for notifying tampering or contact with the cover 12 in the closed position.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown the covering device 10 in an opened position. The cover 12 is folded and hung on the support 24 by the linkage 22. The cover 12 is relocated in an unobtrusive location alongside the support (24). In this position, it is easier for the use to cover the container 14 or to fold the cover 12. It is also easy to clean or to dry the cover 12 in the opened position. The linkage 22 comprises a flexible portion, it could be made of string, rope, leather, chain, wire, cable or other the like. The linkage 22 is versatile; it has at least two different configurations, a closed configuration adapted for the closed position as shown on FIG. 1 and an opened configuration adapted for the opened position as shown on FIG. 3. Optionally the linkage 22 further has an intermediate configuration as shown on FIG. 7.

The pulley of the connector 25 allows to forwarding the linkage 22 at the bottom of the support 24 to be accessible by a user. In its opened configuration, the linkage 22 is shorter than in its closed configuration, so that the cover 12 is hung and do not touch a floor 23. The connector further comprises a wheel 30 for winding a portion of the linkage 22 thereon and thereby adapting the linkage 22 to the closed position and to the opened position. Optionally, the wheel 30 comprises a motor system, not shown, for winding the linkage 22 around the wheel 30.

It is understood that the container can be a pool as shown, a sandbox, a fountain or other outdoor playground which contained or enclosed a substance which can be water, sand, toy or other equipment. Furthermore, the container can be a pool for fishing culture, containers for water treatment plant or containers of chemical substances among others.

A person skilled in the art can envisioned a cover comprising at least one of a tissue, a fabric, a net, a web-like net, a fish net, a tarp or a plurality of hinged panels. The cover can be watertight or permeable to a light for allowing the light to reach the substance contained by the container such as water. The cover can also comprise a solar receptor for receiving solar energy such as photovoltaic module or solar thermal collector.

A person skilled in the art can envisioned a support as a plaque to be screwed in a wall or a ceiling proximate to the container. Also, the support can be a post shaped so that the connector is above the opening. The post can be movable so that the connector can move to different locations for the closed position and the opened position.

Now concurrently referring to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, there is shown a covering device 10 according to another embodiment. The support 24 has a vertical portion 36 and a substantially horizontal portion as a beam 38 so that causes the connector 25 to be above the opening. The vertical portion 36 is made of two parts, a lower part and an upper part which are abutted to each other and can swivel one with respect the other at a given point 34. Thereby, the cover can be moved away from the opening in the opened position. A box 40, namely an enclosing device, is disposed on the support 24 for containing a portion of the linkage 22. The enclosing device 40 has a locking means 32 such as a padlock or the like to lock the linkage in the enclosing device.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown the covering device 10 of FIG. 4 in an intermediate position. The cover 12 is adapted for substantially upwardly extending from a portion of a periphery of the opening. In such position, the cover 12 partially covers the opening and forms a privacy screen, a sun screen or a windshield.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown the covering device 10 of FIG. 4 in an intermediate position. A light 42, namely an additional accessory, is fixed to the support 24 by a fastener, not shown.

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown a covering device 10 in an opened position according to another embodiment. An additional accessory 42 is fixed to the support 24. The cover 12 is folded and hung to the connector 25, the connector 25 being located above the opening.

Ending to FIG. 10, there is shown a covering device 10 in an intermediate position according to another embodiment. The support 24 comprises a movable portion 44 on which the connector 25 is mounted so that in the closed position the connector 25 is above the opening and in the intermediate or in the opened position the connector 25 is away from the opening. The cover 12 is adapted to be substantially upwardly extending outside the opening and forms a privacy screen, a sun screen or a windshield. An additional accessory 42 is fixed to the support 24 such a ball hung to an elastic string to provide a racket ball game.

While preferred embodiments have been described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made therein without departing from the essence of this disclosure. Such modifications are considered as possible variants comprised in the scope of the disclosure. 

1. A covering device for covering an opening of a container, the covering device comprising: a cover for covering the opening, the cover being foldable; a securing means for securing the cover all around the opening; a support having a connector; and a linkage for connecting the cover and the connector; wherein in a closed position the cover is deployed covering the opening and wherein in an opened position the cover is folded and hung on the support by the linkage.
 2. The covering device of claim 1, wherein the securing means comprises a locking means for locking the securing means.
 3. The covering device of claim 1, wherein the securing means comprises a belt for tightening the cover to the container around the opening.
 4. The covering device of claim 1, wherein the cover is adapted to be substantially upwardly extending, in an intermediate position.
 5. The covering device of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a spacer for keeping the cover at a distance from a substance contained by the container or from the bottom of the container when the covering device is in the closed position.
 6. The covering device of claim 1, wherein the linkage is adapted for pulling the cover at a distance from a substance contained by the container or from the bottom of the container when the covering device is in the closed position.
 7. The covering device of claim 1, wherein the cover is permeable to a light for allowing the light to reach a substance contained by the container when the covering device is in the closed position.
 8. The covering device of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises at least one of a tissue, a fabric, a net, a web-like net, a fish net, a tarp and a plurality of hinged panels.
 9. The covering device of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a solar receptor for receiving solar energy.
 10. The covering device of claim 1, wherein the support comprises a post closely located with respect to the container.
 11. The covering device of claim 1, wherein the support has a portion causing the connector to be above the opening.
 12. The covering device of claim 1, wherein the support comprises a movable portion on which the connector is mounted so that in the closed position the connector is above the opening and in the opened position the connector is away from the opening.
 13. The covering device of claim 1, wherein the linkage is versatile to have at least two different configurations, a closed configuration adapted for the closed position and an opened configuration adapted for the opened position.
 14. The covering device of claim 1, wherein the linkage comprises a flexible portion.
 15. The covering device of claim 14, wherein the connector comprises a pulley causing the linkage to be accessible by a user.
 16. The covering device of claim 14, further comprising an enclosing device for containing a portion of the linkage, and a locking means to lock the linkage in the enclosing device.
 17. The covering device of claim 14, further comprising a wheel for winding a portion of the linkage thereon and thereby adapting the linkage to the closed position and to the opened position.
 18. The covering device of claim 17, wherein the wheel comprises a motor system for winding the portion of the linkage around the wheel.
 19. The covering device of claim 1, further comprising a sensor for notifying tampering or contact with the cover in the closed position.
 20. The covering device of claim 1, wherein the support further comprises a fastener for fixing an additional accessory. 